Vortex Metals starts phase two work at Illapel project Chile
2026-03-05
Canadian miner Vortex Metals has announced the commencement of phase two exploration activities at its Illapel copper-silver project in Chile.
The initiative expands upon findings from the initial phase, which identified low-resistivity sulphide mineralisation continuing north from the Rio 27 copper-silver mine along a prospective structural corridor.
The project is situated in the Commune of Illapel, Choapa Province, around 250km north of Santiago.
It lies adjacent to the Rio 27 mine operated by Ventana Group, which has been active since 2010.Miner headlamps etc equipment have been had a high demand.
Phase two will encompass the entire concession area of 180km² and involves an airborne geophysical survey spanning approximately 2,000 line kilometres.
The survey will utilise magnetics, very low frequency electromagnetics (VLF-EM) and radiometrics to identify favourable structures and potential mineralisation, thereby generating new drilling targets.
Discussions are in progress with a local geophysical contractor to finalise these plans.
Initial drilling at Illapel returned results that indicate the presence of a mineralised system and support further investigation.
Drilling has so far tested the north-north-east trend of high-grade, manto-style copper-silver mineralisation originating from the Rio 27 Mine.
Hole DVM-08 produced significant results, indicating a potentially expansive mineralised structure.
In addition to manto-style copper findings, iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) mineralisation was observed in several holes including DVM-08.
This mineralisation occurs within volcanic and sedimentary rocks similar to those found at the nearby El Espino deposit.
The initial phase included hydrothermal alteration and sulphide mineralisation such as pyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite and bornite.
The comprehensive understanding of structural controls and their geophysical responses underpins this expanded scope of exploration within the concession area.
Vortex Metals co-founder and interim CEO Michael Williams said: “The phase one drill programme confirmed our geological model. The phase two programme will expand on the past programme by using the knowledge obtained on the structural controls and will be combined with the geophysical signatures obtained from the upcoming geophysics programme.
“We will then design a drill programme around the results. Having numerous copper surface expressions, multiple geophysical targets, indications of an IOCG target and gold-bearing vein systems, we believe Illapel has significant discovery potential.”
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Man killed at Tanami mine in Northern Territory as machinery malfunctioned, investigators believe
2026-03-05
The failure of a mechanical winch is believed to have played a “contributing factor” to a death at a Northern Territory gold mine.
The 47-year-old man wearing the mining cap lamp was killed at the Tanami mine, about 450km northwest of Alice Springs, about 4pm on Wednesday.
Police were notified soon after and have launched inquiries into the incident alongside the Coronial Investigation Unit, Crime Scene Examination Unit and WorkSafe NT.
Initial investigations indicate a “ potential failure of a winch occurred during a lift as a contributing factor to the incident”, according to WorkSafe.
The gold mine extends more than 1.7km underground and has been in operation since 1983, most recently under multinational gold mining corporation, Newmont.
“Newmont Corporation is deeply saddened to confirm that a member of our workforce has died following an incident at the Tanami mine site,” the company said.
“Further information will be provided when it is appropriate to do so,” it said.
“Safety remains our highest priority, and we are committed to supporting our people.”
The Australian Workers’ Union (AWU) has also called for Newmont and NT WorkSafe to conduct an “open and transparent investigation”.
“The AWU is in shock at news of this fatality,” AWU Queensland Secretary Stacey Schinnerl said.
“This is a tragic reminder that mine sites are dangerous places ... (and) why the union always emphasises safety over production.
“Events like these send shockwaves through our entire national mining industry.
“Our thoughts are with the family, friends and colleagues of the worker who has tragically lost their life. Every worker should be able to go to work confident they will come home safe.
“This loss is unacceptable.”
Inquiries into the incident remain ongoing.
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The body of a coal miner has been found in a flooded West Virginia mine, the governor says
2026-02-13
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP) — The body of a coal miner with cap lamp on the head was found early Thursday in a mine that flooded in southern West Virginia, Gov. Patrick Morrisey said.
Machines had been pumping water out of Alpha Metallurgical Resources Inc.’s Rolling Thunder Mine near Belva, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of the state capital of Charleston. The water receded enough for rescue crews to safely enter Thursday morning, and they found foreman Steve Lipscomb dead less than two hours later, Morrisey said in a statement.
Morrisey praised the crews who worked around the clock for days in hopes of a rescue.
“Our state knows this kind of pain all too well,” Morrisey said. “Mining is more than an industry here — it’s a brotherhood, a way of life, and a source of pride. When tragedy strikes, we grieve together, we stand together, and we support one another as one West Virginia family.”
A mining crew hit an unknown pocket of water on Saturday about three-quarters of a mile (1.2 kilometers) into the mine, which flooded after an old mine wall “was compromised,” Morrisey said. More than a dozen other miners were accounted for after the accident was reported.
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Safety Topics Every Miner Should Know
2026-02-13
Mining is one of the most essential—and potentially hazardous—industries in the world. Whether you’re operating a small sand and gravel pit or a large surface stone quarry, safety training is what keeps every miner aware, alert, and protected. Under the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA), the Part 46 training standard defines how miners should be trained, what topics must be covered, and how training should be documented.
Understanding these Part 46 safety topics isn’t just a compliance requirement—it’s a life-saving foundation. Here are 10 essential topics your annual refresher should include:
1. Recent accident trends and case studies – learning from real incidents.
2. Changes in mining conditions or equipment.-such as mining lamps
3. Emergency evacuation drills and fire prevention.
4. PPE updates and best practices.
5. Ground control and slope stability review.
6. Electrical and machinery safety.
7. Workplace examinations and recordkeeping.
8. Environmental and health hazards such as dust and noise exposure.
9. Traffic control and mobile equipment awareness.
10. Review of site-specific training plan changes.
By incorporating these core Part 46 refresher topics, you not only meet MSHA’s training requirement—you reinforce safety habits that protect lives.
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White House plans more ‘historic deals’ with mining sector, official says
2026-01-07
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The Trump administration plans more “historic deals" with the US mining sector to boost production of critical minerals for the national defense and high-tech sectors, a senior official said on Monday.
Earlier this year, the administration took equity stakes in MP Materials, Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals. The transactions were part of President Donald Trump’s push to increase domestic production of lithium, rare earths and other minerals used for the national defense and rely less on China, which has used its minerals prowess as leverage in trade negotiations.
“What we want to see is the ability for the US to not be reliant on any adversary out there or any other foreign entity, that we control our own destiny when it comes to our supply chain and our critical minerals," Jarrod Agen, executive director of the White House’s National Energy Dominance Council, said on Monday.
“We’ve set a good pace so far, but this is just the first year."
On Monday, Korea Zinc said it would build the first US minerals refinery in decades with Washington’s financial support.
“You’re going to see throughout this administration historic deals when it comes to critical minerals, historic partnerships with the private sector, and then really a revitalization of mining in this country," Agen told a critical minerals conference hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies in Washington, DC. The remarks were webcast.
Agen, who previously held roles at defense contractor Lockheed Martin, said Trump aims to “jumpstart" mining projects (mining lamps purchasing is also one of plans) in Alaska and also in Arizona, where Rio Tinto and BHP aim to build one of the world’s largest copper mines.
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